ParentWell

Participating in sports provide so many benefits to kids and teens. There are the obvious benefits of physical fitness and promoting regular exercise. Then, there are also the character-building lessons learned from being part of a team, working hard toward a goal, celebrating tough competition, and gracefully accepting defeat. But …

Deciding on baby’s first footwear can be an exciting moment for parents. The cute booties or tiny tennis shoes are adorable, and the options are plentiful. With limitless shoe options available for babies and children of all ages, the importance of choosing supportive footwear can often be overlooked. Baby’s First …

Few things can make a parent feel more helpless than a sick kid. You want to do everything you can to make them feel better – especially when your child is just a baby or toddler and can’t communicate what they’re feeling or understand why they feel so sick. By …

Over the past few months, measles outbreaks in the United States have reached record-breaking numbers, including cases in Oakland and Wayne counties here in Michigan reported this month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received more than 300 reports of measles since January 1, 2019 — compare …

When your kid says, “Mom, I want to be a vegan,” alarm bells might sound in your head. What if he’s not getting enough protein for his activities? Will she get enough iron to support her growing body? Since a vegan diet excludes all animal products, including meat, fish, poultry, …

“Use your words!” This is a phrase parents often tell their children. But for children with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, “using words” may not be possible. In fact, difficulty with communication is a defining characteristic of autism. “Most children with autism do have deficits in speech and language,” says …

While some claim it’s an internet hoax, the “Momo challenge” is scaring parents and compelling school districts to send letters home across metro Detroit. The Momo challenge allegedly entices children to text a number to WhatsApp, a messaging and social media app, and they are then lured to complete tasks …

Several decades ago, spanking was widely considered an acceptable parental response to poor behavior. But years of research show that laying a hand on a child is not only ineffective, it could also cause long-term damage. In fact, last December, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a statement explaining …

Across the state, below freezing temperatures are predicted for the next few days. With the expected wind chill, many schools have already canceled classes so kids, parents and teachers won’t have to brave the cold. When you’ve got your children in the house all day long, it can be a …

When your child gets sick, it’s natural to want to act fast to stop the suffering and halt the spread of the illness through the family. The obvious solution for most situations: Antibiotics. But not all illnesses require antibiotics. In fact, antibiotics are useless against two of the most common …

A health and wellness blog produced by Henry Ford Health System, and designed to share our knowledge on a variety of topics – from tips on eating healthy, staying fit and reducing stress to advice on chronic disease management and news on medical research and health technology.